Tamil Nadu, India – T.M. Anbarasan, the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Minister, inaugurated ‘Smart Cards’ for startups in partnership with Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (StartupTN). These Smart Cards offer startups access to a range of products and services at subsidized rates, tailored to meet the specific needs of early-stage ventures.

Key Highlights:

The Smart Card initiative, aligned with the Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Policy 2023, aims to provide startups with subsidized access to essential resources across legal, marketing, finance, human resources, workspace, and IT services.

In collaboration with various partners, StartupTN ensures startups receive comprehensive support at reduced costs, facilitating accelerated business growth by making critical resources accessible at an affordable price.

Minister Anbarasan sanctioned ₹9.05 crore under the Tamil Nadu SC/ST Startup Fund as an equity investment for four startups led by entrepreneurs from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities.

Products and services from 20 startups led by women entrepreneurs were launched under the Women Launchpad initiative, designed to help startups gain market traction for their new brands and products.

The minister inaugurated the Open Innovation portal, fostering collaboration between corporates/government agencies and innovators, startups, and researchers. This platform enables participants to address challenges posed by corporations and government agencies and develop innovative solutions.

Sivarajah Ramanathan, Mission Director and CEO of Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission emphasized the tangible rollout of the Smart Card initiative, reinforcing the state’s commitment to supporting startups.

Conclusion:

The launch of ‘Smart Cards’ for startups in Tamil Nadu reflects a strategic move to empower early-stage ventures by providing them with cost-effective access to vital resources across various business domains.